Computer Basics - Revision history

Kevin.Williams at 18:08, 19 July 2014

2014-07-19T18:08:02Z

K7aay: /* Data */

2014-06-12T20:44:30Z

Data

K7aay: /* Data */ remove reference to Ubuntu One

2014-06-12T20:43:44Z

Data: remove reference to Ubuntu One

Rfs at 15:13, 3 April 2014

2014-04-03T15:13:46Z

K7aay at 17:39, 29 March 2014

2014-03-29T17:39:36Z

K7aay: /* Software */

2014-01-21T22:07:44Z

Software

K7aay: /* Operating systems */

2014-01-21T21:50:49Z

Operating systems

K7aay: /* Operating systems */

2014-01-21T21:46:10Z

Operating systems

K7aay: /* Connectivity */

2014-01-21T21:09:42Z

Connectivity

K7aay: /* Operating systems */

2014-01-21T21:08:45Z

Operating systems

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 19 July 2014
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−	{{~~migrate~~}}	+	{{migrated}}
		+	[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pk2eLtzMA9Wh0irnFtGW4j2iCKBYIjYndVladdnoxi0/edit?usp=sharing Link]
		+
	'''Purpose:''' This is an elementary class on hardware fundamentals with a brief excursion into other concepts, 90 minutes in length. Not all devices, programs and concepts are introduced here, and many of them will only be discussed briefly. The student should look on this outline also as a guide to further study. http://j.mp/computer_basics		'''Purpose:''' This is an elementary class on hardware fundamentals with a brief excursion into other concepts, 90 minutes in length. Not all devices, programs and concepts are introduced here, and many of them will only be discussed briefly. The student should look on this outline also as a guide to further study. http://j.mp/computer_basics

@@ Line 221: / Line 221: @@
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEGA MEGA],
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropbox_%28service%29 Dropbox],
-* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyDrive Microsoft SkyDrive], et al.
+* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyDrive Microsoft OneDrive], et al.
 However, if your data should remain private, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encryption_software encrypt] it strongly first. [http://www.aescrypt.com/ AESCrypt] is an Open Source file encryption app you could use for that purpose, as are [http://sourceforge.net/projects/encrypt/?source=directory encrypt], [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ohcrypt/?source=directory OhCrypt], and [http://simplefilecrypt.sourceforge.net/ SimpleCrypt].

@@ Line 218: / Line 218: @@
 You can also copy it over the Internet to a backup or cloud service, like
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Drive Google Drive],
 * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEGA MEGA],

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 3 April 2014
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		+	{{migrate}}
	'''Purpose:''' This is an elementary class on hardware fundamentals with a brief excursion into other concepts, 90 minutes in length. Not all devices, programs and concepts are introduced here, and many of them will only be discussed briefly. The student should look on this outline also as a guide to further study. http://j.mp/computer_basics		'''Purpose:''' This is an elementary class on hardware fundamentals with a brief excursion into other concepts, 90 minutes in length. Not all devices, programs and concepts are introduced here, and many of them will only be discussed briefly. The student should look on this outline also as a guide to further study. http://j.mp/computer_basics

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 29 March 2014
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	[http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intel-edison-sd-card-size-computer-2.jpg Intel's Edison computer] using the dual-core 400MHz Intel® Quark processor with memory on board, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, [http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intel-edison-sd-card-size-computer-620x477.jpg fits into an SD card] slot and is expected to sell for less than $150. Thirteen years ago, a computer with a single 400MHz processor would have required a full sized desktop, and cost $2,500. Takeaway: Computers depreciate faster than cars, and improve far faster as well, so buy as little today as you can get away with, for tomorrow's will be better/faster/cheaper.		[http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intel-edison-sd-card-size-computer-2.jpg Intel's Edison computer] using the dual-core 400MHz Intel® Quark processor with memory on board, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, [http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/intel-edison-sd-card-size-computer-620x477.jpg fits into an SD card] slot and is expected to sell for less than $150. Thirteen years ago, a computer with a single 400MHz processor would have required a full sized desktop, and cost $2,500. Takeaway: Computers depreciate faster than cars, and improve far faster as well, so buy as little today as you can get away with, for tomorrow's will be better/faster/cheaper.
		+
		+	===Hardware longevity===
		+
		+	All digital devices are susceptible to two problems which cause the majority of failures; overheating and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_spike voltage spikes]. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriters_Labs UL] approved [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector surge protector] with a low clamping voltage can divert surges to ground if your house or office wiring has a good ground. Ground testers are available from hardware stores to tell if your outlets are well grounded, but it's guaranteed that a surge protector cannot work if attached to an ungrounded outlet.
		+
		+	Voltage spikes, also called power surges, can travel over power lines, phone lines, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL DSL] lines and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Internet_access cable] lines.

	=== What Fits Inside ===		=== What Fits Inside ===

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 * A [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Server-directory-yellow.svg drive] is a physical or virtual device like a [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wooden_file_cabinet.JPG file cabinet]
-** A [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/GNU-Linux_directory_tree.png directory] is like a [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:File_cabinet_blue.svg drawer] in that file cabinet
+** A [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/GNU-Linux_directory_tree.png directory] is like a [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/File_cabinet_blue.svg drawer] in that file cabinet
 *** Within that drawer, there are many [http://www.staples-3p.com/s7/is/image/Staples/s0445514_sc7?$grid4$ hanging folders], as there are many [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Directory_tree.png sub-directories] beneath the top, or 'root' directory.
 **** Within a sub-directory, there can be one or many files which hold your data, just like a hanging folder can hold multiple paper [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Folder-documents.png/120px-Folder-documents.png file folders] which hold paper pages.

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 Operating systems define a common set of commands for programs and programmers to use. They stand between the programs and turn what you ask the program to do into something the PC can understand; think of the operating system ('OS') as the foundation that a building rests on.
-There are three major families of operating systems for PCs: [https://www.linux.com/learn Linux] [http://www.zimagez.com/zimage/screenshot-01212014-011708pm.php (xfce desktop)], [https://www.apple.com/osx/what-is/ Mac OS X] [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/2010-01-21_MacBook_Pro_flat_panel_showing_Earth_background.jpg/800px-2010-01-21_MacBook_Pro_flat_panel_showing_Earth_background.jpg (Mac OS X desktop)], and [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/meet Windows] [http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_7/images/Installation%20Scenario%20Two/TEG-0259_small.jpg (Windows XP desktop)].  It's extremely difficult if not impossible to run a program designed for one operating system on another, with the possible exception of Windows on Linux.
+There are three major families of operating systems for PCs: [https://www.linux.com/learn Linux] [http://www.zimagez.com/zimage/screenshot-01212014-011708pm.php (xfce desktop)], [https://www.apple.com/osx/what-is/ Mac OS X] [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/2010-01-21_MacBook_Pro_flat_panel_showing_Earth_background.jpg/800px-2010-01-21_MacBook_Pro_flat_panel_showing_Earth_background.jpg (Mac OS X desktop)], and [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/meet Windows] [http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_7/images/Installation%20Scenario%20Two/TEG-0259_small.jpg (Windows XP desktop)].
 It may be of interest to know that the ministry of the UK Government which is responsible for communications and security has recently declared Linux as the [http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/linux-and-open-source/linux-the-clear-choice-for-security most secure PC operating system]. Or not.

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 == Connectivity ==
-Email, chat, browsers, instant messaging, other internet services all need a connection.
+Email, chat, browsers, instant messaging, other internet services all need a connection to work.
 == SAAS (Software as a Service) ==